Bundesliga: Hoffenheim 3 Fortuna Dusseldorf 0

Hoffenheim gave their prospects of avoiding relegation a boost with a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Fortuna Dusseldorf on Friday.

Entering the weekend second last on the Bundesliga table and still nine points from safety and four off the relegation play-off spot, Hoffenheim were desperate for a win in new coach Markus Gisdol’s first match at the helm.

They made an excellent start to proceedings, with Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino giving them the lead 11 minutes in, and they led by that goal at half-time.

They had to wait until the 75th minute to extend their lead, thanks to an Andreas Lambertz own goal, and Kevin Volland completed the scoring in the 94th minute, much to the delight of those in attendance at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

The result lifted Hoffenheim to within one point of 16th-placed Augsburg, who occupy the relegation play-off position, and they closed to within six points of Dusseldorf, who are 15th.